18 miles ... 34 days....

WOW.

I did it.

18 miles yesterday in 3:26 and change.

Ouch... and yay... and I FEEL LIKE I CAN REALLY DO THIS NOW. I think :) lol

I guess for me its going to take watching myself complete each long run now to prove to myself that I can do the big race. Honestly at times I feel like I am outside of my body when I'm running. Like it's doing the work, and just taking my spirit along for the ride. I wonder if other runners feel this way... I'm finding a separation in body / spirit / mind. It's quite amazing how we work as human beings.

I'm sore... but okay. Don't feel nearly as bad as I thought I would being I only did 2 of my 4 weekday training runs last week. I thought for sure Sunday I'd be hurting in a big way. I was hurting, but not in a big way. Also - this morning I woke up with my period, which made me pretty excited - but not for the reasons you would think ... lol I know this week was hard for me training, and I"m realizing now it's because I was overtired and PMS'd out! So if I can run 18 miles the day before I get my period, and know I'll be done with it before the marathon next month - I feel that much more confident. For me, the "girl thing" gets in the way of my energy level in a HUGE way.

I met some great individuals running yesterday. Helped out a girl early on in the race that was a little more inexperienced and really trying to qualify for next years marathon but had only been training for a month. Talked her through a few hard hills, and helped her to relax... it's times like that I really get the most from running. I love to be of use and help others in their own struggle with it all, knowing I felt exactly the same way and SO appreciated the help I've received.

Amazing times. As my runs get longer, my words seem shorter...

I'll leave you with this... THANK YOU.

Peace,
Curls
xo

Time to Dig In!

Okay - so after my milestone 15.6 mile run, I had a bad week... lack of time, sleep, stability in my AIG world just lead me down a not so great path... I had a horrible long run the next week in the park... fell... cramped up and didn't complete my 18 mile run.

Last week I decided ... no time like the present to dig back into it all...

So LAST week I did my 3 runs of 16 miles during the week... and my long run of 13.26 on Saturday and bettered my mile per minute time by 1:24 seconds a mile! Which is amazing for me... and from what I hear, it's really great progress for anyone! I think my body is finally catching up after the vertigo and pulling my hamstring a bit... and things are clicking thank goodness.

This week, three runs of 4 miles each and then I'm doing the 18 mile NYRR Marathon Tune-Up on Sunday! I am excited to do another formal race before the 20 milers start next month. It's easier for me because I don't wear a hydration belt or like to carry/hold anything at all on me... so the organized races have everything there that you need as far as nutrition, etc...

Also, very excited that I got my 2 new pairs of marathon sneakers last night thanks to my brother David's generosity of an early birthday present to me... so I'll wear one for the next month and then a few weeks before the marathon, break in the other pair... I don't think I've ever owned so many pairs of sneakers before! :) Along with those, I got that yummy GOO (chocolate that tastes like pudding to me!) running socks and body glide...

Seems like I'm all set... now all I have to do is concentrate on training, stop having a social life and show up on Nov 2nd ready to rock...

:)
Thanks for reading... and thanks for the energy and support you all always give me... trust me I need it, and feel it!

Peace,
Curly
xoxo

15.6... another milestone!

I have to say, I don't know how I'm doing the long runs! I'm still having a serious problem getting motivated, but once I get out there, I get it done!

I finished the 15.6 mile run this weekend in 3:06:47. I bettered my time by 16 seconds a mile from the Half Marathon in July. I was in awe, in pain, but all-in-all, really pleased with my accomplishment.

I definitely know the team training on Tuesday nights has helped push me and make my time better. Maybe it's the overachiever in me that needs to try and keep up with everyone else (who are rock star faster runners than I am)... or the guilty Catholic/Jewish girl that wants to finish faster because I don't want anyone waiting around because of me, the slow poke hahah ... whatever it is, it's working! I still really enjoy doing the long runs solo (because I can pick my own route and just like the solitude), but in the coming weeks will try and join the team.... GOOO TEAM RUN MS!

It's nice to feel like I've almost found my "stride" as far as my training...

So, is it bad at this point to feel that I honestly don't like to run? After mile three, I like it for a little while... then between miles 5-9 I hate it again, then after mile 10 honestly - it's all auto pilot. So it's about getting through the hills and valleys and getting to the auto pilot point that's the trick for me...

I really do look forward to the experience of the marathon... and I am very excited about raising this money to find a cure for MS. My brother is really unable to walk anymore, and not getting any better. We need to find a cure and FAST.

If you haven't already - PLEASE donate what you can. I would truly appreciate it. I am running for the MS cause 1st... and for myself 2nd...

https://www.kintera.org/faf/donorReg/donorPledge.asp?ievent=258247&lis=1&kntae258247=E7B6F4E6697A4EC79A8488AAF62EB2D7&supId=210702758

Blessings and light,
Karen